Contact: Dr. Jason Cleere, 979-845-6931, jjcleere@ag.tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – The 59th Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course is scheduled Aug. 5-7 at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Weather outlook and a cattle market outlook are two of the featured topics to be discussed during the general session scheduled Aug. 5.

“A lot of producers are wanting to know how long this current market cycle will last and how to go about herd expansion strategies in the future,” said Dr. Jason Cleere, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist in College Station and conference coordinator. “The long-term outlook is one of the many topics that will be featured in the 22 different cattleman’s college sessions at the short course.”

The famous Texas Aggie Prime Rib Dinner will be held as part of the 59th Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course activities. (Texas A&M AgriLIfe Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

The short course has become one of the largest and most comprehensive beef cattle educational programs in the U.S., Cleere noted.

The cattleman’s college portion provides participants with an opportunity to choose workshops based on their level of production experience and the needs of their ranch, Cleere said.

“These concurrent workshops will feature information on introductory cattle production, retiring to ranching, management practices in the areas of forage, nutrition and reproduction, record keeping, genetics, purebred cattle, landowner issues and much more,” he said.

In addition to classroom instruction, participants can attend one of the popular demonstrations on the morning of Aug. 7.

“There will be demonstrations on fence building, chute-side calf working, cattle behavior, penning and Brush Busters,” Cleere said. “These provide an opportunity for ranchers to see beef cattle production practices put to use.

“The goal of the short course each year is to provide the most cutting-edge information that is needed by beef cattle producers. We think we have information for everyone to take home and apply to their operations.”

Participants can receive a Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicator’s license during the short course and can earn at least seven pesticide continuing education units if they are already licensed, Cleere added.

An industry trade show will be held during the event, featuring more than 110 agricultural businesses and service exhibits.

Registration is $160 per person and includes educational materials, a copy of the 600-page Beef Cattle Short Course proceedings, trade show admittance, admission to the prime rib dinner, lunches, breakfasts and daily refreshments.

Registration information and a tentative schedule will be mailed to previous participants in May, but can also be found on the short course website at http://beef.tamu.edu.

Producers can also register by contacting Cleere’s office at 979-845-6931.
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ETTER – Wheat freeze damage and wheat-related research will be the highlights of the Spring Crops Ag Day on May 22 at the North Plains Research Field near Etter.

The field day is hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, North Plains Groundwater Conservation District and Texas Wheat Producers Board.

The program will begin with registration at 9 a.m. and will include the following presentations:

- Area wheat freeze damage, Dr. Calvin Trostle, AgriLife Extension, Lubbock.

- Drought tolerance research and irrigation level study, Dr. Qingwu Xue, AgriLife Research, Amarillo.

- Remote-sensing research to detect wheat performance, Dr. Prasana Gowda, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Bushland.

- Wheat insect research, iWheat and Integrated Pest Management, Dr. Jerry Michels, AgriLife Research, Amarillo.

- Wheat disease research and management, Dr. Charlie Rush, AgriLife Research, Amarillo.

- Drought/insect/disease interactions, Dr. Shuyu Liu, AgriLife Research, Amarillo.

- Wheat breeding trials: Damage assessment/recovery, Dr. Jackie Rudd, AgriLife Research, Amarillo.

- Suggested wheat varieties for the High Plains, Rudd.

- Seed availability, Steve Brown, Texas A&M Foundation Seed Service, Vernon.

- Statewide Small Grain Extension Program, Dr. Clark Neely and Dr. Travis Miller, AgriLife Extension, College Station.

Lunch will be provided and accompanied by updates on the North Plains Research Field activities, Texas Wheat Producer Board and North Plains Groundwater Conservation District. Additionally, Dr. Steve Amosson, AgriLife Extension, Amarillo, will present “Panhandle Regional Water Planning: Ag water demands.”

Three Texas Agriculture Department continuing education credits will be offered for private pesticide applicators in integrated pest management.

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BELLVILLE – The Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington County offices of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a Multi-county New Landowner field day May 17 at the John Howard Farm, located at 5781 Old 36 Road between Bellville and Kenney.

The field day will include an overview of value-added hay production, information on irrigation to maximize production and the how-to’s of adding value to hay crops presented by host John Howard.

Dr. Tam Garland, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, will discuss poisonous and noxious weed control in pastures, and Dr. Sam Feagley, AgriLife Extension specialist will present information on soil fertility, interpretation of a soil analysis and fertilizers for growing forages. Demonstrations on conducting a forage analysis, soil test and controlling pasture pests will also be done during the course of the field day.

The field day will begin at 1:30 p.m. with registration at the farm. The program and field tour will follow.  Participants can register at the door on the day of the program for $20 per person.

Three continuing education units will be given to pesticide applicators, two general and one integrated pest management, and handouts will be provided.

For information, contact the AgriLife Extension office of Austin County at 979-865-2072, or email austin-tx@tamu.edu to sign up.

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By Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Angela Burkham, 806-677-5600, ABurkham@ag.tamu.edu

AMARILLO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is offering a new program that will allow the expert cooks as well as beginners to learn to prepare easy, nutritious meals in advance and promote more family meal time and money savings.

“Cooking with Friends” is a way to learn healthier cooking habits and save time and money when it comes to putting a meal on the table, said Dr. Angela Burkham, AgriLife Extension regional program director for family and consumer sciences in the North Region.

The program features four sessions a year, Burkham said. The sessions will be offered in Deaf Smith, Potter, Lynn, Baylor, Knox and Young counties in the month of May. All will teach four concepts – freezer basics and safety, grilling, gluten-free foods and “slow-cooker 101.”

Contact the individual county AgriLife Extension office to find out more details about time, date, place and associated costs at each location.

Participants will make five meals at each session that can be frozen, Burkham said. The trainers will discuss side dishes that would be good for the different main dishes they prepare. Most of the dishes will be geared toward the evening meal, but some will also be appropriate for lunch and breakfast.

Participants will be provided a shopping list in advance of each session, which they can adapt to include ingredients they choose to fit their family likes and dislikes, she said.

“If you do the prep ahead of time, all you have to do is pop it in the oven, and it fits in with today’s busy schedules that we all face,” Burkham said.

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Contact: Dr. Rick Machen, 830-278-9151 ext. 245, rmachen@ag.tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – A panel of grass-fed beef producers providing first-hand knowledge of production practices will be one of several highlights at a grass-fed beef production conference scheduled May 30-31 at Texas A&M University in College Station.

A panel of speakers on the second day of the conference will represent expertise in the areas of animal welfare, production and retailing, said Dr. Rick Machen, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock specialist, Uvalde, and conference coordinator.

“Participants will get perspectives from each of these areas, plus they will hear numerous presentations on the fundamentals of the grass-fed business, cattle types and other information,” Machen said.

The panel will feature:

- Andrew Gunther, program director, Animal Welfare Approved.

- Dr. Glenn Rogers, owner of Grassy Ridge Natural Beef, Aledo.

- Pati Jacobs, owner of Bastrop Cattle Company, Bastrop.

- Charlie Bradbury, chief executive officer of Nolan Ryan’s Beef, Huntsville.

Dr. Davey Griffin, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service meat specialist, discusses skeletal composition of a beef cow at the 2012 grass-fed beef conference at Texas A&M University in College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

The following topics will be discussed: overview of the beef industry; defining natural, grass-fed and organic beef; forage fundamentals; cattle types suited for grass-fed beef; forage-based nutrition for cattle; preventive herd health; cattle handling for wholesome beef; carcass fabrication; consumers and their expectations; marketing a unique product; and economics and sustainability.

A carcass fabrication demonstration will be featured the second day.

Cost is $250 through May 15 and $300 after. Three continuing education credits will be offered to Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicators license holders. To register online, visit https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ and enter keyword “grassfed” or call 979-845-2604.

The conference is presented by AgriLife Extension with funding from Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education and the Texas Beef Council.

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COLLEGE STATION – “How Herbicides Work” is the topic of the May 2 webinar hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service as a part of the Texas Range Webinar Series.

This presentation will focus on the effect of the herbicides in the plant and soil environment, according to Dr. Paul Baumann, AgriLife Extension state weed specialist.

Baumann, who will conduct the webinar, said there are various mode-of-action categories that individual herbicides belong to and various characteristics of these products. The symptoms of damage also will be presented to help attendees recognize possible herbicide injury.

This webinar is part of a series conducted monthly by the AgriLife Extension’s ecosystem science and management unit. Each webinar is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m., according to Brittany Grube, webinar coordinator.

Participants seeking Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units must pay a $10 fee on the website. For all others, there is no fee, Grube said. Licensed agricultural pesticide applicators participating in this webinar can earn one integrated pest management Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit.

This webinar and others in the series can be accessed at http://naturalresourcewebinars.org. Continuing education units for archived webinars will only be available for one month following the live version of the webinar, Grube said. After the month has passed, the webinar will still be available to watch, but participants will not be able to register for or receive credits.

For more information on the webinars, contact Grube at Brittany.grube@agnet.tamu.edu .
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Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Megan Parr, 806-878-4026, megan.parr@ag.tamu.edu

BORGER – The increasing use of K2 and other synthetic drugs by youth in the Panhandle has prompted the Hutchinson County Youth Board to call for a “Teen-2-Teen” town hall meeting, said Megan Parr, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service family and consumer sciences agent for Hutchinson County.

The Youth Board is made up of the members of the Hutchinson County 4-H County Council and members from area high school student councils, Parr said. 4-H is the youth organization of AgriLife Extension.

The town hall meeting will be conducted by teen leaders in the county and is targeted for junior high and high school age youth in Hutchinson County and the surrounding areas, she said.

“Teen-2-Teen” is set for 6 p.m. May 9 in the Hutchinson County Aluminum Dome, 1113 Bulldog Blvd. in Borger.

“Even though these drugs have been outlawed, there are still many teens who are trying them or being pressured to try them,” Parr said. “The implications of these substances can be deadly. The youth of this area need to be educated on exactly what the effects of using these drugs are and how to say no to them. The youth also need a free space of sorts to talk to each other about this issue.”

Parr said parents are welcome to attend a separate session at the Johnson Park Youth Center Complex, across from the Dome.

“This youth town hall is solely for the junior high and high school youth. We will be serving pizza beginning at 6 p.m. and door prizes, including an iPad, Kindle Fire, iTunes gift cards and other fun stuff, will be given away,” she said.

For more information about this event, contact the AgriLife Extension office for Hutchinson County at 806-878-4026, or access information on Facebook at Hutchinson County 4-H, on Twitter @HutchinsonCoExt and on YouTube on the HutchinsonCoExt channel.

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Contact: Dustin Coufal, 979-823-0129, dwcoufal@ag.tamu.edu

FRANKLIN – The 27th annual O.D. Butler Field Day scheduled May 17 at Camp Cooley Ranch will feature the latest weed control technologies, plus strategies on buying and selling cattle during fluctuating market conditions.

The ranch is located at 4297 Camp Cooley Ranch Road in Franklin.

This year’s forage field day will be highlighted by demonstrations on the Boar Buster Corral by Jason Gaskamp of the Nobel Foundation, said Dustin Coufal, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Brazos County.

“We will also feature youpon control under trees by Dr. Barron Rector, AgriLife Extension range specialist, and controlling grass burrs by Dr. Paul Baumann, AgriLife Extension state weed specialist, both from College Station.”

Dr. Barron Rector, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service range specialist, displays white prickly poppy as part of a walking tour at the 2012 O.D. Butler Memorial Forage Field Day at Camp Cooley Ranch. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Registration is $25 and RSVP is requested by calling 979-823-0129. The fee includes lunch and materials. The program begins at 9 a.m.

The field day is conducted by the Brazos Area Hay Producers Association and the AgriLife Extension in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Limestone, Leon, Madison, Milam, Robertson and Washington counties.

“We think we have topics that are of interest to forage producers in the Brazos Valley,” Coufal said. “The presentations we have scheduled should give producers many things to consider and apply to their own operations.”

Three continuing education units will be awarded to licensed Texas Department of Agriculture private, commercial and non-commercial pesticide applicators.

The following is a schedule of topics and speakers:

- Latest technology in weed control, Dr. Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist, College Station.

- Grass burr control demonstration, Baumann.

- Youpon control under trees, Rector.

- Soil and forage analysis update, Dr. Tony Provin, AgriLife Extension soil chemist, College Station.

- Where are we in the cattle cycle – is it time to buy or sell?, Dr. Jason Johnson, AgriLife Extension economist, Stephenville.

- Latest technology in trapping feral hogs, Josh Gaskamp, Nobel Foundation, wildlife division.

For more information, call 979-823-0129.

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BRYAN – Who will feed the growing U.S. population in the next 50 years? As the current generation of farmers and ranchers ages, the next generation must take over, according to organizers of two agricultural conferences scheduled for Bryan and Abilene.

 Capital Farm Credit and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be hosting two conferences designed to help the next generation of producers transition into the business or to help current farmers and ranchers expand their operations.The 2013 Next Generation Agricultural Conferences, scheduled May 23-24 at the Brazos County Expo in Bryan and July 18-19 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene, are designed to provide production and financial management tools to farmers and ranchers.

“The main topics that will be covered include farm financial management, agricultural economic forecasts, general agriculture, farm planning and budgeting,” said Dr. Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in College Station and one of the presenters. “Keeping up with the latest operational strategies and available credit and risk management practices are the key to the most successful large and small operations. These conferences will assist with providing information that can be incorporated into their operations, making them more profitable.”

Dr. Jason Cleere, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Cleere said the first day of the workshop will feature presentations on analyzing the performance of an operation, potential to expand an operation, purchasing or leasing equipment, operation diversity, and farm and ranch success stories.

“The second day will focus on the ag economy in the southern region and where we are heading,” he said. “Then the program will transition into developing a marketing plan for the farm and ranch, protecting your operation from volatile commodity markets and weather, new tax and estate laws, as well as programs on hay value, marketing and rebuilding the cow herd.”

Featured speakers from AgriLife Extension include Cleere, Dr. Ron Gill, beef cattle specialist, Dr. David Anderson, livestock economist; Dr. Mark Welch, grains economist; and Wayne Hayenga, economist – all from College Station. Other AgriLife Extension speakers will be Dr. Jason Banta, beef cattle specialist, Overton; and Dr. Stan Bevers, economist, Vernon.

Experts from Capital Farm Credit will include Barry Abel and Jason Fuchs. Brian Briggeman, Kansas State University agricultural economist, will be one of the featured speakers. He will provide an overview of the Southern Plains agricultural economy and provide some insight into where it is headed.

There is no cost for the conference if registered by May 20 or $50 after.

For more information about the conferences visit https://www.capitalfarmcredit.com/ or contact Cleere’s office at 979-845-6931.

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AMARILLO – Wheat Freeze Assessment Sessions will be held April 17-18 across the High Plains, South Plains and Rolling Plains after temperatures dipped into the teens and low 20s on April 9-10, threatening much of Texas’ wheat crop.

Dr. Calvin Trostle, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomist in Lubbock, and Dr. Clark Neely, AgriLife Extension state small grains and oilseeds specialist in College Station, will attend the meetings to help evaluate samples participants bring and train them to spot freeze damage.

“We have indeed unquestionable and major potential injury on our wheat crop for grain,” Trostle said. “The absolute temperature is one factor and the duration of these temperatures is another. When combined, these two issues significantly raise the injury potential.”

He said temperatures in the northwest and northern South Plains hovered around 20-22 degrees; the Amarillo region, 20 degrees; the southeast Panhandle, 22-25 degrees; and north of the Canadian River, about 15-20 degrees. Some areas were below 28 degrees for about 24 hours.

“There has been enough jointing now into the Panhandle that the growing point most likely experienced the cold temperatures that cause damage,” Trostle said. “Also, the strong wind speed overnight April 9-10 probably circulated the temperatures farther into the canopy, whereas on still nights with only a light breeze, this probably doesn’t happen as readily.

“Likewise, on a windy night, the low end of the field, if there is one, for example, a playa bottom or a draw, might be less likely to demonstrate injury relative to the rest of the field.”

Producers planning to attend one of the meetings should bring 10-20 samples from each field, including roots; a pocket knife or razor blade to cut samples; and field data, such as variety and planting date.

The following meetings are scheduled in the South Plains for April 17:

- 8 a.m., O’Donnell Rodeo Arena, just off U.S. Highway 87, O’Donnell. For more information call 806-561-4562.

- 11 a.m., Wilbur Ellis, 1837 W. State Road 300, Levelland, 806-894-3159.

- 2 p.m., Crop Protection Service office, 10 miles west of Dimmit on U.S. Highway 86, Tam Anne, 806-272-4584.

- 5 p.m., Street’s Gin, Farm-to-Market Road 145, 10 miles east of Kress in Claytonville, 806-995-3726.

Meetings scheduled for the Panhandle April 18 are:

- 8 a.m., AgriLife Extension office for Gray County, 12125 E. Frederic Ave., Pampa, 806-669-8033.

- 11 a.m., AgriLife Extension office for Ochiltree County, Ochiltree Expo Center, 402 Expo Drive, Perryton, 806-435-4501.

- 2 p.m., North Plains Research Field, off U.S. Highway 287 north of Dumas and south of Cactus at Etter, 806-366-2081.

- 5 p.m., Hartley County Community Center, U.S. Highway 385, Hartley, 806-244-4434.

Meetings on April 18 in the Rolling Plains will be:

- 8:30 a.m., AgriLife Extension office for Archer County, 512 W. Cottonwood St., Archer City. Jonathan Ramirez, AgriLife Extension demonstration technician, will do wheat sample assessment at this location. 940-574-4914.

- 9:30 a.m., Wilbarger County Exhibit Building, 2215 Harrold, Vernon, 940-552-5474.

- 1 p.m., AgriLife Extension office for Hardeman County, 409 S. Main in the Presbyterian Church Annex, Quanah, 940-663-6301.

- 3:30 p.m., Farmers Cooperative Gin, 850 U.S. Highway 83, Childress, 940-937-2351.

For more information on wheat freeze damage, go to the AgriLife Extension document “Freeze Injury on Wheat” at http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/wheat/docs/mime-4.pdf .

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